Lynda Bellingham overwhelmed at love and support she's received since cancer diagnosis

06 AUGUST 2013Loose Women star Lynda Bellingham has revealed that the amount of support she's received from the public following her cancer diagnosis has been an "eye opener."

The 65-year-old thanked fans and well-wishers for the messages she's received since she announced she was diagnosed with cancer in July.

"What an eye opener it's been to realise how loved I actually am," she said.

"And if truth be told, it's also very slightly embarrassing to someone who's never been overly full of self-esteem in the first place," read the heartfelt message.

"I genuinely never expected such an overwhelming public reaction to my news but I can't tell you what a huge boost all your kind messages of support have been to me."

The TV personality, who is known for playing the 'Oxo Mum' in the 1980s and 1990s, has been relaxing while she undergoes treatment for cancer.

"Forced to stay at home, I'm trying really hard to do something that’s eluded me recently - just relax and potter," the mother-of-two wrote in her Your magazine column.

"I love being at home, but for the past five years I've hardly spent any time at all here. And when I have it's been just getting the house in order to go off touring and filming again.

"Now though all the laundry's getting done and everybody sits down to a fabulous dinner at night as I'm cooking for England."

Lynda's been experimenting in the kitchen with nourishing meals to keep herself healthy as she fights the disease.

"Struggling to sleep (because of the heat, not worry) I found myself getting up to cook in the early hours the other day.

"Determined to use as much raw and healthy superfoods as possible, my kitchen looks like a Middle Eastern food fest as I test my favourite Yotam Ottolenghi recipes."

The Canada-born actress has postponed a UK tour of Kay Mellor's play A Passionate Woman to undergo treatment. So far, no further details of her condition have been made public.

In a statement, the popular star said, "I'm devastated not to be able to honour my commitments to the play this year.

"But having toured many times before, I'm aware of the sheer stamina needed and I need to prioritise my recovery.

"That said, nothing's going to stop me coming back next year, and I can't wait to be 'a passionate woman' .

Lynda is best known for shows including All Creatures Great and Small and Loose Women, where she was a regular panellist.

She also took part in Strictly Come Dancing four years ago, and currently presents Country House Sunday, a weekly show in which she explores stately homes around the UK.

Lynda has been a high-profile supporter of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support since her sister Barbara passed away from lung cancer.

The tour of A Passionate Woman was scheduled to start at the Sheffield Lyceum in September. Sheffield Theatres' artistic director Daniel Evans said, "A Passionate Woman is an extraordinary play about an extraordinary woman, and that woman in Lynda Bellingham.

"She is the heart of this production, and it's inconceivable that we would do it without her. Our priority is to Lynda and her health , and we look forward to welcoming her back soon."

Lynda has two sons, Michael and Robbie from her second marriage to Nunzio Peluso from 1981 to 1996. She tied the knot for the third time with Michael Pattemore on her 60th birthday in 2008.